Arthritis

09.14.2009 | Bone Disorders | Dr S Senthil Kumar

Arthritis is one of the most pervasive and common diseases in the world. It is a general term used to indicate any rheumatic disorder that cause pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Medically, Arthritis is inflammation, characterized by pain, stiffness & swelling of one or more joints and connective tissues. Simply put, Arthritis is a painful stiff joint. Arthritis also affects cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments etc. About 1 in every 4 adult above 65 years of age suffers from Arthritis. It affects women (especially after menopause) more than men. Osteo – arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout are the types of Arthritis.
Osteo – arthritis is a chronic disease of the joint cartilage  and surrounding tissues that is characterized by pain, stiffness and loss of function. Osteo – arthritis occurs in weight bearing joints e.g. – knees and ankle joints. Symptoms are stiffness, moderate to severe pain, difficulty in moving the joints, Redness and warmth in the joints and Back pain. Osteo – arthritis affects the hands and joints of the finger, base of thumb, neck, lower back, big toes, hips and knees. It often affects spine. Back ache is common. Osteo – arthritis is described as “Sandhi Vatha” in Ayurveda which believes that one of the three doshas, “Kapha” resides in joints. When ‘vatha’ increases ‘Kapha’ decreases and the joint looses its lubricating oil, resulting in wear and tear of joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: is an inflammatory arthritis in which smaller joints, including those of hands and feet are inflamed, resulting in pain and often the destruction of joints. RA differs from many other forms of Arthritis because it is widespread in nature, affecting the whole body, not just the joints. It affects women 2 to 3 times more than men. It is called “Amavatha” in Ayurveda. It is caused probably by faulty immune system, genetic predisposition etc. Symptoms are stiff and painful small joints of fingers, toes, wrists, hand, feet, elbows etc, light fever, tiredness, Weakness, Morning stiffness, Muscle weakness, Difficulty in movement. Affected joints enlarge, swell and may freeze in one position – closed or open
Gout is a painful type of arthritis. It is called “Vatharaktha” in Ayurveda. It is a disorder that results from deposits of sodium urate crystals, which accumulate in the joints because of high blood levels of uric acid leading to attacks of painful joint inflammation. Gout could be very painful when its attack is acute. Apart from medication, diet that increases uric acid in the body need to be avoided.
The causes of Arthritic diseases are Age, Infection, Abnormality of cells that synthesize cartilage and water retention in cartilage, Obesity and Faulty life style and food habits.
Ankylosing Spondylites
This is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints between the vertebrae of the spine and joints between the spine & pelvis. This disease is 3 times more common in men than in women Cause not known but may run in families. It occurs in twenties and rarely after age 40. The symptoms are: – low back pain, stiffness, subgluteal pain, Early morning stiffness etc.
Cervical Spondylosis
This is a disorder in which the discs and vertebrae in the neck degenerate putting pressure on the spinal cord in the neck. Cervical spondylosis usually affects middle – aged and older people. Causes could be lack of exercise, faulty posture, injury, age related wear & tear of the joints, faulty support to the neck while sleeping (too many pillows), degenerative changes in the spine (overgrowth of spine, compressing spinal cord). Symptoms are Pain in the posterior neck often radiating to the arms, compression of spinal cord causing change in walking (leg movements become jerky and walking between unsteady) weakness in the extremities, Numbness & tingling sensation in the hands or feet. Continuous or Progressive neck pain is the key symptom
Lumbar Spondylosis
This is a rheumatic condition that affects the muscles of the lower part of the back (lumbar region). Causes are inadequate support while sitting, Trauma injury to spine, lifting heavy loads, infections, Psychological factors; driving vehicles, obesity, sedentary life, osteoarthritis etc. Symptoms are pain in the lumbosacral region, aggravated pain by back movements, sitting, standing lifting and bending.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which a progressive decrease in the density of bones weaken the bones, making fractures likely. In women bone density progressively increases until the age of thirty, when the bones are at their strongest. After that, the bone density gradually decreases. The decrease accelerates after menopause. Causes could be, hereditary. In sufficient calcium in the diet, sedentary lifestyle, Thin build, Use of cortico – steroids or thyroid hormones, Early menopause – alcohol and tobacco. Symptoms: Progressive low bone density may cause bones to collapse and deformities. Vertebrae are more prone to fracture in osteo – porosis causing back pain. Even minor strain or fall may cause fractures.
Management of Arthritis

Mental and physical rest in bed necessary during acute febrile stage.
Anemia should be corrected. Stress and strain should be reduced. Dampness and draught (i.e. breeze produced by wind or fan) should be avoided. Infection must be treated. Repeated medical check – up is required to avoid negative effects of medication.
Ayurvedic Management: Ayurveda offers a comprhensive cure for bone-joint diseases. It believes that vayu aggravation in the body causes Arthritis and allied conditions. The general line of Ayurvedic treatment for Arthritis include, medications, Abhyanga, (Massage), Swedana (Fomentation), proper diet exercises yoga, rest and relaxations.
Ayurvedic herbs for arthritis are Discurred below
Ayurveda Medicines
Certain important Ayurvedic Generic formulations include, Balarishta, Vadha vithvamsini Rasa, Vadagajankuja Rasa, yogaraja Guggulu, Navagrahi sinduram, Vadha Rakshasa, Swarna vadha rakshasa, Rasa manikyam, Loha soveram, Bhaskara lavanam, Maharasnathi kwatha churanam Brihachakalathyam krutham, Panjathiktha gugglu kritham,
Massage and Fomentation
These form an important and popular method of Ayurvedic treatment for Arthritis and resultant pain management. These treatments have shown excellent results. The oils used for these have now become household names and cures. For relieving stiffness and pain, fomentation adds further relief after massage.
External oils for Arthritis are: Amavadha Thailam, Balakuduchiyathi Thailam, Balakvakanthathi Thailam, Pralanjana Vimarthana Thailam, Poonaka Thailam, Dhanvanthra Thailam. Sheerabala Thailam, Pinda Thailam, Narayana Thailam, Maha Masha Thailam etc.
Exercises
Important caution:- Do not take up exercises in cases of severe inflammation, with out consulting your doctor. In acute cases, rest usually heals. But the moment inflammation subsides, start exercises. Too much rest makes joints immobile and stiff. Mode of exercises, type of exercises cure to be decided by your doctor or a good physio – therapist.
Yoga
Yogic exercises benefit not only the body but also the mind. The yogasanas must be practiced under the guidance of a yoga therapist.
Diet for Joint aches
Natural uncooked foods help treating Joint aches because of their alkaline content which counter the acidity that accumulates in the joints. Following natural food regimen for 30 days to three months will help cure joint disorders. In treating Arthritis diet regimen is as important as medicines. The diet regimen is better recommended by your doctor to suit your specific disease / Arthritic problem. Patients with gout must avoid foods that raise uric acid levels. These foods are organ meats, some fish & sea food, lcohol, asparagus, spinach, lentils, beans, celery, Cauli flower, Tomato, Brinjal, Pumpkin, Milk and Milk Products. Avoid weight gain. Consume calcium rich foods like milk and milk products – Not for Gout Patients. Induce Vitamins A, E, B complex, C and D in your diet or as supplements. Zinc also is to be taken as it increases mobility. Those with Rheumatoid Arthritis should avoid oils, food colours, potatoes etc. Chappathi prepared with chana flour (Besan) is a good supplement and taken once in 2 days, helps elderly people to strengthen their bones. Horse gram, green grams (sprouted) also helps in strengthening the bones.
Nutrients for Healthy Joints
Foods that are high in arachidonic acid and saturated fat, that rank high on the glycemic index (raising blood sugar quickly), and that have a low ratio of calcium to phosphorus are poor choices for arthritis sufferers.
Foods to be eliminated
Mutton or lamb meat, Fried foods, Spicy Foods, Egg yolks, White flour products (breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, donuts, etc.), White rice, Soft drinks, Sugary treats and  some people with arthritis notice improvement from avoiding vegetables of the nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes, red and green peppers, and eggplant.
Foods recommended are
Fresh vegetables and fruits, Salmon and other oily fish, Nuts and legumes, Whole grains, Low-fat or nonfat dairy products, and Nutritionally oriented doctors sometimes recommend a diet consisting largely of raw foods for their more severely arthritic patients.

OUR TREATMENT METHODS

Our treatment methods are the most comprehensive, they not only alleviate the sufferings but also check repeated occurrence. We give “state of the art” Ayurvedic Medicines in the form of Tablets, Capsules and Oil, which are manufactured using Herbal extraction processes, only. We do not give Shasstrik preparations, hence There is no food restriction There will be no side effects The results are guaranteed. The medicines can be taken from your home, no inpatient treatment is required. The treatment should be continued for at least three months depending on the severity, to avoid repeated attacks